Growing Capacity for Effective School Mental Health Mental Health Leader Module December 2012

Session Outline Capacity Building in your Mental Health Strategy Capacity Building Considerations Audiences Content Format Sequence Moving forward in growing capacity Resources for You!

Strategy Cascade Province Organizational Conditions Capacity Building Evidence-Based Programming Board Organizational Conditions Capacity Building Evidence-Based Programming School Organizational Conditions Capacity Building Evidence-Based Programming

Your Board Mental Health Strategy Should include focus on capacity-building each year This focus should be driven by knowledge needs identified through resource mapping Important to identify priority audiences each year (consider prior professional learning, knowledge cascade, urgent issues) You may need to build structures, teams, roles to ensure adequate depth and breadth of delivery Mental Health Awareness, Literacy & Expertise resource bank will continue to grow via SMH ASSIST You will select/adapt what you need for your Strategy, or You will use/create your own

Capacity-Building Continuum Mental Health Awareness Mental Health Literacy Mental Health Expertise Basic mental health information, tailored for different school board audiences Deeper working knowledge for those who have a direct role in supporting student mental health (creating mentally healthy schools & classrooms, recognizing early signs of difficulty) Skills and knowledge for SMH professionals to effectively provide evidence-based promotion, prevention, and intervention 5 ALLSOME FEW Capacity Building is not an event! It is an iterative deepening of knowledge embedded in school board life. It takes time. Resources should be tailored for different education audiences

Continuum by Audience Mental Health Awareness Mental Health Literacy Mental Health Expertise Trustees, Senior Administration, Office Staff, Bus Drivers, etc. School Administration, School Staff in Special Roles, Teachers, Paraprofessionals School Mental Health Professionals ALLSOME FEW

Continuum by Resources ALLSOME FEW Mental Health Awareness Mental Health Literacy Mental Health Expertise MH Awareness Webinar/Slide Series Educator Guide / ABCs Administrator Guide Suicide Resources Centre MH Literacy Modules CCSA Substance Use Module (in development)

Capacity-Building Principles Be systematic! Make use of current implementation structures – know what these are (or create them) Deliver professional learning in a planful manner across your board Be responsive! Determine the purpose and type of learning required to support effective school mental health Know your audiences and tailor content and delivery to their needs and preferences Be persistent! Understand that true capacity-building is iterative Avoid one-off events

Capacity-Building Considerations Audience Tailor professional learning to address audience knowledge needs and preferences Content Involve stakeholders in creating / contextualizing content and advising on delivery methods Method Delivered using multiple methods, over time Sequence Capacity building plan requires a systematic approach that includes a careful sequence and clear timelines

Considering Audiences Who are the key stakeholders in your school board who need information about school mental health?

Considering Content What do they need to know? What are the top priorities for knowledge sharing?

Considering Format How will they want to receive knowledge about school mental health? Who will deliver the knowledge?

Teacher Preferences Research Cunningham et al., 2012

Considering Sequence How should professional learning be cascaded through your system?

Moving Forward You are the conduit for this information in your Board, and responsible for coordinating professional learning related to mental health Work with your SO and MH Team to set professional learning priorities and to determine audience, content, delivery, and sequence Cohort 1 may be ready to begin to implement professional learning, cohort 2 will be in planning stages Engaging others who are currently delivering PD in this area is critical

Resources for You! Mental Health Awareness Webinar Series For everyone, for senior leaders, for school leaders, for classroom staff Administrators Guide Educator Guide / ABCs of Mental Health Ontario Centre of Excellence Modules Bullying, Stigma, Engagement, Evidence-Based Practice Suicide resources Prevention, intervention, postvention

Planning for Professional Learning ResourcesAudiences Board MH Team Senior AdminTrustees SMH Professionals School Admin School MH Team Classroom Staff Special Roles (e.g., Guidance) Others… MH Awareness Webinar/Slides for Everyone Dec 2012 Organizational Conditions Webinar/Slides for Board Leaders Dec 2013 Jan 2013 Feb 2013Jan 2013 MH Awareness Webinar/Slides for School Leaders April 2013 May 2013 MH Awareness Webinar/Slides for School Staff Educator Guide and ABCs of Mental Health April 2013 May 2013 June 2013 Sept 2013 May 2013 Administrators Guide April 2013 Suicide PIP for Board Leaders Dec 2012 Suicide PIP for School Leaders Dec 2012 Centre Module #1 Bullying May 2013 Sept 2013 Centre Module #2 Anxiety Sept 2013 Nov 2013